Nurofen Plus Addiction - About To Go CT Again

[Eternity73]

Hi everyone.  I've been addicted to codeine for many years.  It started with getting prescribed cocodamol 30/500 for migraines, the tablets didn't help the migraines but of course I liked the calm, relaxed feeling they gave me.  After a while the doctor stopped prescribing them and I stared to buy over the counter codeine products, usually nurofen plus and sometimes solpadeine max.  Because they weren't as strong as the prescription tablets, I had to take more to get the same feeling.  Fast forward to last year and I was taking approx 70 nurofen plus tablets a day.  I was constantly feeling sick and tired and got very anaemic.  I spoke to my doctor and was referred to the local drugs and alcohol team.  I was put on a subutex programme but it didn't work for me.

Everything came to a head last summer when my mum and dad found out.  I had borrowed some tablets from a friend and my mum found out.  She started to put things together, I.e. all the excuses for going to the chemist, constantly taking tablets etc and she figured it out.  I've never told her the amount I was taking as it would have scared her too much, but she knew it was a lot.  So, last August I went CT with my mum and dad's support and also my son (20) and my daughter's (22) support.  They were all fantastic.  It was a few weeks from hell but I got through it and felt so happy and proud of myself.

Then at the end of last year I had dental problems.  I had two abscesses which antibiotics didn't work on and when I got the tooth pulled they damaged my sinus cavity so I ended up needing oral surgery.  The pain was terrible, I tried paracetamol and ibuprofen but they didn't help.  Stupidly I decided that a few nurofen plus wouldn't hurt as I was in real pain but as you can guess a few weren't enough and the amount I was taking spiralled up and I'm now back at bloody square one, taking between 60 and 70 tablets a day.  I lost a friend a few days ago who took an overdose (accidentally) and it made me wise up.  I took my last tablets a few hours ago and will be starting CT again tomorrow, I am determined.  I haven't told my family that I relapsed as they would be devastated and really worried, I will beat this.

I guess I'm wondering if anyone else is going through the same thing?  Maybe we could support each other.  Also, I'm sure that anyone else who has this problem knows, one of the worst things with withdrawal is the bloody restless legs and also anxiety.  My doctor has prescribed me quinine sulphate tablets.  I took these the last time I went ct and they are brilliant for stopping the restless legs so will be using them again.  I've also been advised that Imodium / loperamide not only helps with the runs, but will also help ease the anxiety as they work on the nerves in the stomach, I've been told to take it for the few days that the withdrawals are at their worst and they will help. Just wanted to add that in in case it helps anyone.

I'm so sorry for rambling on and boring everyone, I hope this finds you all well.  God bless, Tina x

[10356]

Hello Eternity73 I just wanted to add my support That you can do this !! Also  the Anxiety is also helped by movement You have to force yourself but walking cleaning any kind of movement helps with all the symptoms and stay Hydrated That is important and get on a protein drink. You need the Vitamins and Amino Acids they provide Your body has been depleted.. Eat clean when you can drink Gatoraid to balance your electrolytes and last get involved in a aftercare Program. I'm really glad you made it out alive !! I wish you the very best. lesa

[jifmoc]

Hi, Tina. As I'm sure you figured out by now, doing it alone doesn't work. All the support and all the healing will come to you if you get your arse in aftercare. I don't know how prolific NA is across the pond but I know that AA certainly is. I go to AA even though my drug of choice is opiates. It doesn't matter. Get into a program asap. Get a sponsor. If you do what is suggested, you will lose the very desire to use. You will also have major back up and accountability for those tricky times like dental pain. Remember the saying: secrets keep us sick. Tell your family. They probably know anyway. They needn't be the people to support you through detox, that's what other recovering addicts are for.

Be honest, get humble. Cut your sources. Good luck and keep posting.